Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Dungarvan Business Woman Named Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008

Dungarvan People Newspaper

A New York business woman who moved her whole family to Dungarvan in 2001 and set up a bagel factory has been named as Entrepreneur of the Year. Dungarvan-based businesswoman Rosie Sheehan, of Broadway Bagels has been named Entrepreneur of the Year 2008. The award was presented to her at a gala ceremony by 'Women Mean Business' magazine last week.

Rosie Sheehan, who runs Broadway Bagels with her husband Des, was shortlisted from hundreds of entries from across the country for the awards. The award was presented at a gala conference in Dublin by 'Women Mean Business' magazine in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, last week.

The award comes after years of hard slog for Rosie and Des who struggled for a long time to make a go of the business as well as trying to adjust to life in Dungarvan.

'To win the award is fantastic and a validation for what we have been working for so hard and so long,' Rosie told the Dungarvan People. 'I am over the moon with the award, because when we started out neither myself or Des had any business experience. But this award is fantastic and it is great for the business.'

Rosie said that the conference was a great opportunity to network with other businesses and speakers at the event included Ronan Keating and Claire Byrne, sponsors through the Marie Keating Foundation, as well as Karren Brady from Birmingham city FC.

Rosie appeared on Today FM's Sunday business show at the weekend to discuss her win and her business.

Rosie and Des started Broadway Bagels in Dungarvan in 2001 and the company has grown from there. They now employ up to 18 people and supply their product to supermarkets and export to the UK.